NORFOLK

Wins have been hard to come by since Norfolk rejoined the ECHL in 2015. But after going 7-3-0-0 in their first 10 games, the Admirals appears to be clawing their way out of a quagmire.

The Admirals have 14 points and are tied for first in the ECHL’s South division. Norfolk earned just 16 total points in its opening 10 games of the prior three seasons combined. And until Oct. 24, it had been four years since the team played at home with a winning record.

Only four other times in the last 15 seasons have the Admirals started with 14 or more points in their first 10 games. And while it is still early, how Norfolk started its seasons has often been an indicator of how things would turn out.

In 2011-12, the team started 7-2-0-1, won 28 consecutive games to conclude the regular season, and brought Norfolk its only Calder Cup championship.

Forward Chris Crane, who recently suffered a broken jaw after being hit with a puck, said a team's start helps it get some momentum.

“March comes quickly,” Crane said. “You don’t want to be digging yourself out of any holes that late.”

Establishing and rebuilding a successful organization isn’t magic, though; it’s a recipe, according to President Trent Ferguson, who believes two essential ingredients are “on-ice success and off-ice work to bring value to the fans.”

One of the organization's most important offseason developments was its affiliation agreement with the Arizona Coyotes, who have “more than exceeded expectations,” Ferguson said.

Coach Robbie Ftorek emphasized the affiliation agreement as foundational to the team’s recruitment and future, especially now that a couple players have been called up to the Tucson Roadrunners, Norfolk’s AHL affiliate.

“It really helps bring other guys here. They’ll start looking at Norfolk now,” he said. “Once they see they have a chance to be called up, it makes it more appealing.”

The Admirals started the season with three players that had NHL contracts and five with AHL contracts. Only three players on last season’s roster had either, and they were gone midway through the season when the Nashville Predators pulled their affiliation from Norfolk.

Forward Domenic Alberga, who has been with the organization longer than the coaching staff, agrees that the affiliation has been a difference maker.

“Playing with these guys (who have NHL and AHL contracts) makes everyone play a little harder,” he said. “It lets you see what it will take to make it to the next level.”

In addition to the affiliation, Ftorek believes that effort is more important than winning, and he thinks that sets this season’s team apart from those of the past.

“Effort first, then winning,” he said. “But, usually, when you work hard, you’ll get wins. And I think that’s what we have.”

Chase Connell, a fan who had season tickets for 21 years before not renewing this season, agrees.

“You don’t have to win all the time,” he said. “But last year it just seemed like guys were skating around. It just wasn’t very exciting.”

Connell said he decided not to renew season tickets because of work and family obligations, but he has come to a couple games and likes what he sees. Attendance at Scope has been steadily declining since Norfolk's return to the ECHL.

“Winning helps,” Connell said.

Linda Phillips, a season ticket holder for more than two decades, agreed that a winning team is “the most important thing” to bring fans back.

“They’re really trying,” she said of ownership’s attempts to restore the organization’s winning tradition.

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